A Daily Briefing on Iran: Friday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 3.31.2006:

Iran defies the UN Security Council.

Breitbart reported that Iran defiantly rejected a U.N. call to reimpose a freeze on uranium enrichment.
Bloomberg reported that the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council will use a meeting in Berlin to discuss action to take after the council told Iran to stop enriching uranium.
The New York Times reported that members of the UN Security Council are rejecting calls for sanctions on Iran.
Xinhua reported that Russia called on Iran to carefully study the statement released by the UN Security Council on its nuclear issue and cooperate.
The Washington Post examined the question: Could Sanctions Stop Iran?
Vital Perspective published the text of the Security Council presidential statement on Iran.

US State Department ready to fund Pro-Democracy efforts in Iran.

Department of State announced an open competition for grant applications that support democratic governance and reform in Iran.
The Financial Times reported that President George W. Bush stepped into an intense debate among democracy activists in the US and Iran over how US dollars should be used to carry out the administration’s policy of promoting freedom in the Islamic republic.

Another earthquake in Iran.

AP.org reported that two strong earthquakes flattened villages in western Iran early Friday, many dead and injured.

Here are a few other news items you may have missed.

Ilan Berman, The Jourmal of International Security Affairs suggested that Washington may soon find a much more constructive tenor to its long-running dialogue with Moscow over Iran.
Anne Bayefsky, The National Review argued why the latest action by the UN Security Council is a a win for Iran.
Steven Ekovich, Iran va Jahan reported that the Islamic Republic News Agency distorted an interview with him.
Mehran Riazaty reported that Moqtada Sadr’s spokesman said: All of the Al-Qaeda’s Terrorist operations in Iraq are directed by the US Forces.
BBC News examined whether the US will use the military option to stop Iran's nuclear program.